Community identification
Bird Lice (Louse)
Phthiraptera (Order)
- Order & Family
- Order: Phthiraptera; Families vary (e.g., Philopteridae, Menoponidae)
- Size
- 0.5 mm to 10 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the bodies of host birds, typically nestled among feathers.
Diet & Feeding
Feed on bird feathers, skin debris, or blood depending on whether they are chewing or sucking lice.
Behavior Patterns
They are permanent ectoparasites that spend their entire life cycle on the host, transferring between birds during nesting or mating.
Risks & Benefits
No benefit to the ecosystem; they cause irritation, feather damage, and potential disease transmission to the host bird. They generally do not infest humans but can cause temporary skin irritation.